Following the spate of killings perpetrated by Fulani militia herdsmen, youths in Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, on Tuesday set ablaze the local government secretariat in reaction to the killing of three men of the Benue Protection Guards.
As the Guards who were probably killed in Gyaruwa community of the local government area on Monday night, were brought into Naka town, it sparked protests by youths of the LGA as part of ways to show their grievances on the incessant killings that have continued in the area.
The Chairman of the LGA, Victor Omirin, Special Adviser on Internal Security to the governor, Joseph Har, and the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police have all confirmed the incident.
The guards were brought into Naka from Gyaruwa, the youth took to the streets in protest, heading to the LGA secretariat, where they set it on fire, citing alleged lackadaisical attitude of concerned authorities towards their plight as reason for their actions.
They had later proceeded to the palace of Ter Nagi, the paramount ruler, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse and the hotel belonging to Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West senatorial district at the Senate and set them both structures on fire.
Although, we are yet to ascertain the level of damage done in all instances, we learned that at the house of the paramount ruler, three vehicles and a motor bike as well as his house were burnt as a result of the actions of the rampaging youth.
We gathered that at the time of the incident Chief Abomtse, was away from the area on medical treatment.
Although the Council chairman told us that those that were killed were men of the Protection Guards, the Special Adviser on Internal Security, denied the claims that the victims of the Fulani herdsmen killings were members of the Guards.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Sewuese Anene also confirmed the incident.
She said, “Information has been received about an on going protest in Naka and the Commissioner of Police moved this morning to the area with other tactical teams.
“Further developments (about the situation in Naka) will be communicated to you”, she said.
